Mule team T-Shirts anyone?

[sal]

I agree with Bolster on the appearance of Mules, the animal. I'd like to see more options. I had thought about a string of Mule Team knives, one in front of the other, pulling a wagon of some type. I'm pretty busy on the design end these days so you guys will have to help. I'll ask Peter & Kristi to watch the the thread as well.

Hey Jonathon,

Are you planning on trying to make these shirts yourself? selling them yourself? That's a mighty big chore considering sizes, volume, inventory and quality.

sal

[WilliamMunny]

I agree with Bolster on the appearance of Mules, the animal. I'd like to see more options. I had thought about a string of Mule Team knives, one in front of the other, pulling a wagon of some type. I'm pretty busy on the design end these days so you guys will have to help. I'll ask Peter & Kristi to watch the the thread as well.

Hey Jonathon,

Are you planning on trying to make these shirts yourself? selling them yourself? That's a mighty big chore considering sizes, volume, inventory and quality.

sal

There might be a third party company that can cover a lot of the hard work. Provide them the design and people from this group can go and order. I think some companies work like this and will produce on demand, might up the cost a bit but it would be worth it.

[sal]

Hi William,

That's not a likely scenario. We've got millions of dollars in our marks and we don't permit anyone to use them without our direct control.

sal

[Fireman]

Hi Sal. I was outlined the arrangements needed by Peter.

[sal]

Hi Jonathon,

I assure you that Peter would not under any circumstances release our marks to a third party. When I spoke with Peter earlier today, he again said that we cannot and would not authorize a 3rd party to use our marks under their control. I don't know where the misunderstanding might have occurred? I guess you can ask Peter?

Sorry if you are disappointed. I guess you should have outlined your plan to me before beginning. I would have told you no 3rd party control of our marks. I thought that you wanted Spyderco to make these shirts.

sal

[Fireman]

Hi Sal. I will make sure anything done is with your blessing and follows your rules to a T. I won’t do and would not do anything unless you and your back office are happy and every concern was addressed. Thank you for the input on the artwork, I will see what we as the collective can come up with.

[Bolster]

I assure you that Peter would not under any circumstances release our marks to a third party. When I spoke with Peter earlier today, he again said that we cannot and would not authorize a 3rd party to use our marks under their control.

Makes sense to me, Sal. My question is more basic: What constitutes Spyderco's mark? For example, is showing the silhouette of a Spyderco mule knife, or a depiction of the hole, using one of Spyderco's marks? I know the BUG for sure is a trademark, but maybe the overall shape of the mule is too. I was worried I was on thin ice merely tracing the outline of the mule knife.

Thats one reason I stayed away from making things too spyderco-marked in my designs (bug taken off, etc), but then, I use your saying about God's critters, so...is that quote trademarked/copyrighted? Etc. I can see why this would become a big headache for S-co, and we are trying to tread carefully.

Willing to make modifications as needed.

Thanks man!

[Fireman]

Since we all want to be above board on this, is it easier to not use anything related to spyderco and be an inside nod thing?
An official shirt from spyderco would be great and have the most appeal but I need guidance on how to have a non official mule team pride shirt and not use a silhouette or the words “Mule team” Should we make a pack of mules pulling a cart and have the words “cutting edge technology tester”? let’s have fun and maybe come up with something people will love to wear.

[Bolster]

I had thought about a string of Mule Team knives, one in front of the other, pulling a wagon of some type.

[Bolster]

The elemental version. Could also flip the mule-shoe upside down, but this way gives a sideways wink at "Mule Team University." The point being, we're here to learn. I think I would like a shirt with this logo emblazoned on it, it's a simple, bold design. Needs a little refinement though...can do that later if folks like it, but it's Sal's call ...

[Bolster]

LOL, need to add this text somewhere:

"Can you handle it?"

[FullScaler]

Those are very cool Bolster! I would definitely buy and wear that. Hard to say which one I like better but I would probably want a couple of both! Lol.

[sal]

Hi Bolster, Fireman.

We have trademarked every identifiable feature that says "Spyderco". So if it says anything that you can look at at and think "Spyderco", that would be "marks". These could be trademarks, trade dress, copy-write, patents, etc.

That's why Fireman has been speaking with our legal guy. (Peter). I've been watching the thread because there are two possible directions/paths. One is that the Spyderco staff thinks it's cool and marketable and decides to make it. the other that Fireman does his own thing and as he said, with a nod. That presents it's own problems with marketing, among other issues.

I'm honored that you would want to do something like a Mule Team Shirt. I think which path is possible will depend more on what Fireman wants to do and how well this group can push the envelope in designs for both paths? Trying to determine how many shirts to produce will be an important "guess". Maybe some type of pre-order system including the size desired? S-M-L-XL-2XL is a lot of inventory. 500 shirts (100 ea of 5 sizes) is a good sized investment.

sal

[JRinFL]

Instead of the shoe, I think a more iconic image would be the mule collar with hames.

Below is a screenshot of a picture I found on the web so you can see what I mean.

"Spyderco Mule Team" & the subheading of "Can you handle it?" as someone suggested above could be added.

[Fireman]

LOL, need to add this text somewhere:

"Can you handle it?"

Awesome

[Fireman]

Thanks for the input Sal!
You have some dedicated fans because you are so dedicated.

[Fireman]

Mule drop! (image of a mule parachuting)

Got Mules?

Mules, get a handle on em’

I’m on a mule kick

I get a kick out of mules

Mule, is my spirit animal

Colorado mule (image of a mule in a glass)

I live by the Golden Mule

Golden mule, get it before others or others will get it before you

Release the mules!

I went to get a mule and all I got was an empty cart

Put in the cart before you get the mule

[Bolster]

Instead of the shoe, I think a more iconic image would be the mule collar with hames.

I dunno, Boss, I think you will need to find a Freudian artist to make that design...

[Pokey]

I was wondering if a picture of a mule team pulling a wagon on a t-shirt might rile up US Borax. Though, the actual mule teams that hauled borax had 20 mules pulling two wagons.

What about a team of mules with Mule Team blades placed where others have suggested, but pulling a bread truck? Spyderco Mule Team owners would spot that a mile (1.6 km) away.

[defenestrate]

I'm kind of scanning over this thread, but as long as the artwork is decent, I will almost certainly be on board. Have seen a number of good ideas so far, will offer feedback if something hits me or something specific is asked - not very good with visual art though I'm decent at visual concepts.